Effects of Vitamin D on Skeletal Muscle and Athletic Performance

J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2018 Apr 15;26(8):278-285. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00464.

Abstract

Vitamin D is known to be important for calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. It also has important direct effects on skeletal muscle. Unlike authentic vitamins, which cannot be synthesized in the body, vitamin D is produced in the skin using sunlight. Through its nuclear receptor (ie, vitamin D receptor) located throughout the body, including skeletal muscle, vitamin D initiates genomic and nongenomic pathways regulating multiple actions, including myocyte proliferation and growth. In some studies, vitamin D supplementation has been shown to increase muscle strength, particularly in people who are vitamin D deficient. Higher serum levels of vitamin D are associated with reduced injury rates and improved sports performance. In a subset of the population, vitamin D appears to play a role in muscle strength, injury prevention, and sports performance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Athletic Performance / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Muscle Strength / physiology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / physiology*
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D / physiology*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / physiopathology

Substances

  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • VDR protein, human
  • Vitamin D